Method and apparatus for managing communications with multiple identification profiles

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to selectively accept requests for communication that may be supported by different identification profiles with the selective acceptance being based upon a predefined criteria, such as the cost of the communications. In the context of a method, a request for communications is received from a network operator. The communications with the network operator are supported by a first of a plurality of identification profiles. The method also includes determining, relative to a predefined criteria, whether the communications should be supported by the first identification profile or by another identification profile configured to support communications with another network operator. In an instance in which the communications should be supported by another identification profile, the method causes the request for communications to be denied.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, at a mobile terminal and from a network operator, a request for communications, wherein communications with the network operator are supported by a first of a plurality of identification profiles; 
 determining relative to a predefined criteria, comprising a balance of a cost of a communication and a quality of the communication, of a network, that the communications should not be accepted in association with the first identification profile; 
 repeating access to at least one of the other of the plurality of identification profiles, responsive to respective repeated communication attempts, until an identification profile is identified that satisfies the predetermined criteria comprising the balance of the cost of the communication and the quality of the communication; and 
 in response to identifying the identification profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, causing information to be provided to a requestor who initiated the request for communications, and identifying a phone number, associated with the identified profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, as a preferred number. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of identification profiles is associated with a subscription with a respective network operator, and wherein causing information to be provided to the requestor comprises causing information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided to the requestor in an instance in which the communications should be supported by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 2  wherein causing information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided comprises causing an electronic message to be provided to the requestor with information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the predefined criteria comprises a cost associated with the communications supported by the first identification profile and by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1  wherein receiving the request for communications comprises receiving information identifying the network operator within the request. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1  further comprising receiving an electronic message associated with the request for communications, wherein the electronic message identifies the network operator. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the call sound quality of the cellular network is based at least on a transmission signal quality between a cellular network antenna and a mobile terminal antenna. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in an instance in which the communications should be supported by another identification profile and a signal for sending and receiving electronic text messages is not available, 
 repeating attempts of requests for electronic messaging comprising the information relating to the communications from the another network operator that is supported by the another identification profile until the request for communications is accepted or until the requestor who initiated the request for communications has attempted to establish communications according to the information. 
 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first identification profile and the another identification profile are stored on the same module comprising a subscriber identity module (SIM), universal integrated circuit card (UICC), removable user identity module (R-UIM), or secure digital (SD) card. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 receive, from a network operator, a request for communications, wherein communications with the network operator are supported by a first of a plurality of identification profiles; 
 determine relative to a predefined criteria, comprising a balance of a cost of a communication and a quality of the communication, of a network, that the communications should not be accepted by in association with the first identification profile; 
 repeat to at least one of the other of the plurality of identification profiles, responsive to respective repeated communication attempts, until an identification profile is identified that satisfies the predetermined criteria comprising the balance of the cost of the communication and the quality of the communication; and 
 in response to identifying the identification profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, cause information to be provided to a requestor who initiated the request for communications, and identify a phone number, associated with the identified profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, as a preferred number. 
 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein each of the plurality of identification profiles is associated with a subscription with a respective network operator, and wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to cause information to be provided to the requestor by causing information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided to the requestor in an instance in which the communications should be supported by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to cause information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided by causing an electronic message to be provided to the requestor with information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the predefined criteria comprises a cost associated with the communications supported by the first identification profile and by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive the request for communications by receiving information identifying the network operator within the request. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive an electronic message associated with the request for communications, wherein the electronic message identifies the network operator. 
     
     
       16. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code portions stored thereon, the program code portions configured, upon execution, to:
 receive, from a network operator, a request for communications, wherein communications with the network operator are supported by a first of a plurality of identification profiles; 
 determine relative to a predefined criteria, comprising a balance of a cost of a communication and a quality of the communication, of a network, that the communications should not be accepted in association with the first identification profile; repeat to at least one of the other of the plurality of identification profiles, responsive to respective repeated communication attempts, until an identification profile is identified that satisfies the predetermined criteria comprising the balance of the cost of the communication and the quality of the communication; and 
 in response to identifying the identification profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, cause information to be provided to a requestor who initiated the request for communications, and identify a phone number, associated with the identified profile that satisfies the predetermined criteria, as a preferred number. 
 
     
     
       17. A computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of identification profiles is associated with a subscription with a respective network operator, and wherein the program code portions configured to cause information to be provided to the requestor comprise program code portions configured to cause information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided to the requestor in an instance in which the communications should be supported by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       18. A computer program product according to  claim 17  wherein the program code portions configured to cause information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile to be provided comprise program code portions configured to cause an electronic message to be provided to the requestor with information relating to the subscription associated with the another identification profile. 
     
     
       19. A computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein the predefined criteria comprises a cost associated with the communications supported by the first identification profile and by the another identification profile. 
     
     
       20. A computer program product according to  claim 16  wherein the program code portions configured to receive the request for communications comprise program code portions configured to receive information identifying the network operator within the request.